Booster Pump Blog |
 When deciding if you need a positive or negative head booster pump it isn't always straight forward. Here at booster pump suppliers in uae, we recommend you find this information out from a registered installer to be completely sure. Below is a guide to positive and negative heads and a simple explanation for the traditional DIYer so that you may be able to choose without speaking to a professional.
From one home to another you will find different water systems. Choosing between positive and negative head booster pumps comes down to the type of water system in yours. One thing that both of these options have in common is that they're both designed to be fitted to open-vented hot and cold water supplies. ● Positive head booster pumps - When a booster pump is installed, if it is gravity fed it'll usually require installing below the water tank. The distance below the tank is approximately 1 meter and is known as the head. This is where the term positive head booster pumps come in. Positive head booster pumps are the most common options. ● Negative head booster pumps - If you're asking yourself 'what is a negative head booster pump?' then you're not alone. It's quite simple though once it is explained. Negative head booster pumps are placed above a cold water tank, or level with them if needed, and draws water from the tank and forces it towards the shower. They're used in homes which don't have the room below the tank. Once you have picked between single and twin pumps, and understand negative and positive head booster pumps, it's time to choose the type of booster pump that you think will be best for your shower. There are two main types of pump; these are universal booster pumps and standard booster pumps. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966
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 When looking at booster pumps, you'll notice that they're listed with a pressure rating e.g. 1 bar booster pumps. Below is a list of common booster pump sizes and a description of when they should be used.
● 1 bar booster pumps - A 1 bar booster pump is ideal for small shower heads. ● 1.5 bar booster pumps - A 1.5 bar booster pump is best suited to normal showers needing more pressure. ● 2 bar booster pumps - A 2 bar booster pump is also best for low pressure showers. ● 2.5 bar booster pumps - A 2.5 bar booster pump will be required for power showers and larger shower heads, where a larger flow of water at high pressure is needed. ● 3 bar booster pumps - A 3 bar booster pump will be required for power showers and larger shower heads, where a larger flow of water is needed. Some showers have body jets and also require higher rates of water pressure which can be handled by 3 bar booster pumps and larger sizes. There are more bar sizes such as 1.8 bar booster pumps and 4 bar booster pumps for example, although the list above can also be referred to with these sizes as a rough idea of what they're best used for. For example, a 1.8 bar booster pump will be be the perfect in between option for 1.5 bar and 2 bar booster pumps. Once you know which booster pump bar size is required, it's time to choose the flow rate, commonly known as performance, you need from your pump. Booster pump flow rate explained A booster pump is designed to increase the water pressure in your pipes, but when it comes to performance that isn't the only thing you need to look for. Each booster pump will have its own flow rate, which is the amount of litres per minute it can pump out at the given pressure. Remember the calculation we learned earlier in the 'How to check water pressure like pro' section? This performance is important when factoring in cost. A higher-priced booster pump may produce the same 3 bar pressure as a cheaper alternative, yet produce a much higher flow rate. The cheaper 3 bar booster pump may be able to increase the pressure of the water equally as good, but it can't produce as much of that high-pressure water as the more expensive pump per minute. This could cause issues with a power shower for example, which requires a large volume of water per minute to operate at its best. When choosing the best booster pump for your needs, the flow rate is also important to know. Once you know what sort of performance you're looking for, it's time to choose the type of pump you need. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  Knowing if you need a booster pump is not always as easy at it sounds. You may have a trickling shower and very low water pressure, so in this case it will be obvious that a booster pump is required. The problem is, a lot of people wash themselves each day in a shower that just does enough to make them believe there isn't an issue, but it just isn't making for the perfect experience.
As soon as you go for a large shower heads or a power shower, you'll suddenly see the issue with low water pressure. So, how do the experts check if you need a booster pump? This trick is so easy, even Homer Simpson could do it. Simply check your water pressure! How to check water pressure like a pro in 3 steps 1. Grab a 1 litre measuring jug and set your watch/phone to timer mode 2. Ensure all your wet appliances (washers and dishwashers etc) are switched off as well as all taps 3. Turn your cold tap on fully and fill the jug to 1 litre and time it Note down your time and use this simple calculation to find out if you have good or bad water pressure. 60 / (time) = (x) litres per minute. So if your time is 9 seconds, calculate 60 divided by 9 = 6.67 litres per minute. If it takes longer than 8 seconds to fill your 1 litre jug, then you have a poor flow rate which is probably due to low water pressure. If in doubt, get a plumber to take a look for you. If your water pressure is low then you'll need a booster pump to help boost your shower power! There are lots of booster pumps available and it's important that you get the right one for your shower. Choosing the right booster pump You're probably asking yourself 'what booster pump to buy?' but don't worry, it's pretty straight forward stuff. Water pumps for showers vary in brand, type, bar size and performance, so the best place to start is choosing the one that provides the correct pressure. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  Nothing quite beats the ease and practicality of a shower does it? Whether you wake up to yours, enjoy one before going to bed or both, getting in and drenching yourself in clean warm water is a real luxury. Unless, of course, your shower is feeling the pressure - it may be that you need a booster pump installed, or if you already have one, it may just be a simple fix.
We've collected everything you need to know and put it into this simple guide 'All You Need To Know About Booster pumps' to help you choose the best booster pump for your setup. If you already have a booster pump, this guide will help you decide if your current pump can be fixed or if you need to replace it with a new one. What is a booster pump? Before we can answer the question 'What is a booster pump?' it's better to explain quickly how a shower works. When it's switched on, water is fed into the hose, or into the unit first to be heated if you have an electric shower, which then travels upwards toward the shower head which then sprays out and showers you. For the water to travel upwards it needs to go against gravity and this is where water pressure comes in. Depending on the distance the water needs to travel will require a variety of water pressures (measured in bars). If the water pressure is too low, then the spray from the shower head will typically be a dribble; not quite the shower effect we'd all hope for huh! A booster pump is a small device measuring around 30cm in length (although sizes do vary and can be much smaller and much larger) which boosts water pressure in your pipes by increasing the volume of water which is pumped through your pipes. The improved water pressure is visible at the shower head where the force of the spray becomes greater as the pressure and flow rate increases. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  A tap’s a tap, right? Well, it’s not quite that straightforward. When choosing new taps and showers for your home, you will benefit from having a little knowledge regarding the water pressure available and type of system you have installed. Understanding your installation will enable you to select the appropriate tap or shower to function satisfactorily with the available water pressure and type of system in your property, ensuring the best possible performance. If the tap or shower you choose is incompatible with high or low water pressure, then you may encounter slow running taps, or a hot tap that flows faster than your cold tap (or vice versa) making adjusting the mixed water temperature difficult. In this blog, we explain the three most common types of water pressure systems found in homes and what types of taps and showers are best suited to each system. Next time you kit out your bathroom, you’ll know what to look out for and why.
WHAT TYPE OF SYSTEM DO I HAVE IN MY HOME? Homes in the UK will generally utilise one of the following types of system:
A GRAVITY FED WATER SYSTEM Most older properties would have originally been installed with gravity fed hot and cold-water systems. Gravity-fed systems generally produce lower water pressure and flow. How is it identified? If you have a large cold-water storage tank in your roof/loft and an old foam or jacket insulated copper hot water cylinder in your airing cupboard then it is likely that you have a gravity fed system. What kind of showers and taps are recommended for a gravity fed system? Look for taps and showers which are specified as being suitable for low pressure installations. These should be suitable for water pressure as low as 0.1bar. Typically, these types of taps will have screw down handles/valves rather than modern quarter turn lever types handles/valves, as these produce less restriction to the water supply and use larger orifices. Most reputable well-established manufacturers such as (Bristan, Aqualisa, Vado) design products which are compatible with low pressure installations. Shower heads with larger jets and full bore hoses should also be used. A gravity fed system will limit tap choice but there are workable solutions. Installing a booster pump will increase the water pressure and flow, giving you access to a wider range of taps and a more powerful shower experience. A COMBINATION (COMBI)-BOILER WATER SYSTEM Combi-boilers are becoming increasingly common in the UK. They utilise mains pressure cold water and heat the water instantaneously on demand when an outlet is turned on. These systems are commonly found in new builds and homes/flats with only 1 or 2 bathrooms as they do not need a storage tank. How is it identified? If your boiler is mounted on the wall in your kitchen (or hidden in a cupboard) and you do not have a cold or hot water tank, then you have a combi-boiler system. This type of system generally produces good water pressure and flow rate. What kind of showers and taps are recommended for a combi-boiler (high water pressure) system? You are in luck! Combi-boilers boast high water pressure and therefore most taps and showers will be suitable. It is unlikely that you will need to be concerned about water pressure if you are buying new taps or a shower and you have a combi-boiler. The rate at which the hot water is produced will be dependent on the output of the boiler (measured in kW). The higher the output the quicker the boiler is able to heat the water and the faster that the water can be drawn off at the outlets. The boiler’s heating capacity/hot water flow rate should be considered if selecting overflow type bath fillers or drench showers. (Bristan, Aqualisa, Vado) produce a range of taps and shower solutions that are compatible with mains pressure systems fitted with combination boilers. AN UNVENTED WATER SYSTEM Unvented systems are also becoming increasingly common, particularly in larger properties with multiple bathrooms where a large volume of stored water is required to produce high flow rates. How is it identified? If you have a hot water tank with a hard white, grey, or silver cover, but NO cold-water tank in your roof/loft then it is likely that you have an unvented system. The hot water cylinder stores a quantity of hot water at mains pressure. The water in the cylinder is heated either directly by immersion heaters fitted to the cylinder or indirectly by a separate boiler. Commonly the cylinder will be located in an airing cupboard, utility room or boiler room. Unvented systems are renowned for producing high water pressure and flow. What kind of showers and taps are recommended for an unvented (high water pressure) system? As with a combi-boiler, unvented systems deliver high water pressure so you will have the pick of the bunch when it comes to taps and showers and no calculation should be needed. They are particularly suitable for supplying high specification overflow type bath fillers or drench showers with additional body jets. (Bristan, Aqualisa, Vado) produce a range of taps and shower solutions that are compatible with mains pressure systems fitted with unvented hot water cylinders. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  Modern bathroom set ups and increasing numbers of ensuites can lead to water pressure problems in a home. All boasting several bathrooms within the property (rather than just one or two), can inflict a huge strain on the water supply. Often, the water mains find it hard to cope with the demand and need pumping stations to help boost the pressure.
The amount of water pressure at a tap or showerhead will typically depend on:
CLEAN THE SHOWER HEAD AND REMOVE ANY OBSTRUCTIONS A common reason for experiencing low water pressure is when the shut off valve becomes obstructed. This is particularly common when you buy a new home, so make sure you check the shut off valve is fully open (it’s usually found under the kitchen sink). Also, check you shower does not have a ‘flow restricting’ shower head. there is a water restrictor in place, you will simply need to find and remove it. You could also try giving the shower head a good clean before looking to replace anything. Sometimes, cleaning all the dirt and mineral deposits that can get into the water system from the mains supply, is all you need to get the flow of water moving at full speed again. If you cannot physically remove your shower head, then try placing the shower head into a bowl of cleaning solution – one that is excellent at removing limescale and breaking down some of the sediment that has built up over time. Leave it to soak for a while before giving it a good scrub. REPLACE THE SHOWER HEAD If you are certain that there is no water flow restrictor in place, a quick solution could be to replace your head to a special low pressure shower head. Homeowners often find that although water pressure is adequate at the bath and sink taps, once a shower head is fitted, where the head is higher than other outlets, the pressure of the spray is nowhere near where is should be for effective showering. This is often a result of the spray head being too close to the water level in the cold-water storage tank. Replacing the shower head with a low-pressure variety, will work better than a standard head as it is designed to perform better in low water pressure scenarios. However, a new shower head will not improve water pressure if the problem is associated with the mains water supply, so it is always worth getting the opinion of a professional before you go ahead and spend money on a replacement. INSTALL A BOOSTER PUMP A booster pump is a device that is fitted to your home water system that increases the thrust of water pumping through your pipes and increasing the pressure at the shower head. What booster pump you purchase will depend on what type of boiler you have in your home. However, pumps serve a wider range of shower types and shower heads which means you can keep your existing thermostatic mixer shower or electric shower, and you do not need to replace the whole shower unit with a new power model. Once installed, the booster pump will activate when you turn the shower on. As the water leaves the tank it will go through the booster pump before it reaches the showerhead. The pump uses an impeller to transfer energy from the pump’s motor to the water to give the water pressure a boost before it sprays out the shower. Installing a booster pump is an effective, straightforward water pressure fix and will not pull too hard on your purse strings either. INSTALL A PRESSURISED UNVENTED HOT WATER CYLINDER This is quite a complex procedure that means overhauling your whole plumbing system. If you have just bought an older house with the view to renovating and modernising the current water system, this would be a good option for you. Essentially, you will be removing the cold-water tank and replacing it with a pressurised cylinder that takes its feed directly from the mains. It’s a big budget job but will deliver impressive results. OPT FOR A POWER SHOWER Power showers come with their own pump installed to boost the water pressure. In our experience, a booster pump is often the more cost-effective option. If your shower is not achieving the pressure you desire, our team of approved plumbers and water pressure professionals can boost sits power and water flow by installing a pump to your system. As a London based firm, our team has excellent knowledge of the local infrastructure, property types and common problems that affect its water supplies, so whether you need booster pump repairs or installations, a new shower installed, or you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, we can help. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  Noisy Booster Pump
If your pump starts making an unusual humming sound, this could be a sign of something more serious. If this happens it could be a warning that the booster pump has become jammed and that the impellers are not rotating. This could be because you’re in a hard water area and not using it often enough and limescale is accumulating inside it. It could also be as a result of the seals becoming stuck or there might be an electrical problem. In this case, you should call a qualified engineer to service the pump. Sometimes pumps become noisier over time. When this happens, the problem could either be from the way that the booster pump is sited or something to do with the pipework. Ensure that the pump is fitted with anti-vibration feet and make sure that all the pipework that supplies it and is within 3ft (900mm) of it is properly supported. Likewise, ensure that there is sufficient water – both hot and cold – to supply the pump. If there is not, the pump may make a straining sound and you could be shortening its life. Ensure that all valves supplying the pump and those on the other side of it are open to the manufacturer’s specifications. Getting chilled It’s common sense but sometimes overlooked, particularly as our winters seem to be getting colder again, but you must ensure that your booster pump is protected from freezing. The cold feed pipe from the cold tank must be lagged to prevent ice causing bursts or damage to the booster pump. Booster pump leaks Should you notice a leak from your booster pump you should turn off the isolating valves on both the feed and delivery sides. It is possible for the seals to deteriorate over time and they can be replaced. Call a service engineer to rectify the problem. Other booster pump problems If your booster pump stops working, don’t automatically assume that it’s a problem with the pump. Check the electrical supply – most pump failures are caused by nothing more complicated than a blown fuse. If the pump continues to run after you’ve turned off the mixer or taps, check that there isn’t a leak in the pipework from the delivery end of the pump to the shower. Should your booster pump start pulsing and delivering water to the shower in bursts, other taps in the house may be causing it to malfunction and there could be a problem with your pipework. Call an engineer to rectify the problem. Finally, make sure that the water temperature from the hot water cylinder does not exceed 60C. Water that is excessively hot can cause damage to the pump during prolonged use, draw air into the system and invalidate its warranty. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966  If your booster pump has been installed correctly and to the manufacturer’s instructions, it should give you years of trouble-free operation. However, there are certain things you can do to keep it running smoothly. Here we look at caring for your pump for trouble-free operation.
Check the shower first You should always make sure that the handset or shower head is cleaned and descaled regularly. The most common cause of a poor flow from the shower is not, as is often first suspected, the booster pump, but a block inside the handset or the shower rose. This is most likely to happen in areas with hard water and homes that haven’t had a water softener fitted. Checking booster pump filters If there is still poor flow after you’ve cleaned and descaled the shower head then it may be necessary to clean the filters inside the booster pump. The filters can become blocked with limescale in hard water areas and, after the initial installation of the pump or where a lot of work has been done on the pipework in a house, with jointing compounds, tapes, flux and other bits of debris. To clean the filters, turn off all service valves and disconnect the electrical connection to the booster pump. The filters are generally located behind the flexible connection pipes to the impellers. Remove them and clean them gently. Then reconnect the system and refill the pump by opening the valves. Airlocks in booster pumps Should you suspect that there’s an airlock in the pump which is impeding water flow, you’ll need to bleed the pump. You can do this by turning off the electrical supply to the pump and then open the shower mixer and any other taps that are fed by the pump, allow water out and then close them again. You can vent the pump directly by removing the connection pipes after you’ve turned off all the valves. Bleeding the entire system should be a last resort. For more info contact booster pump suppliers in uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966 |
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